Have you ever wondered how long a cat can live? Thanks to veterinary advances and improvements in nutrition, cats are living longer and with better health. Although to calculate the life expectancy of cats, we must consider several factors, which we’ll explain below.
A cat’s life expectancy varies depending on the environment in which it lives. In general, cats living indoors have a longer life expectancy than semi-feral or street cats.
Unlike dogs, whose life expectancy depends on size and breed, cats are more standardized and can live on average 12 years, although depending on diet and lifestyle, a well-cared-for cat can live up to 20 years.
Cats living indoors usually live twice as long as street cats. Furthermore, strays have higher risk of contracting contagious diseases such as feline leukaemia or feline immunodeficiency. In addition, as they don’t have regular access to veterinary services, they’re more vulnerable to illnesses, wounds or injuries.
Diet is another key factor that directly affects the life expectancy of cats. Cats fed an insufficient or unbalanced diet will suffer health problems short, medium or long term. That’s why choosing adequate, quality food is so important.
Tips to ensure your cat lives a long life
- Supervise him when he leaves the house and don’t let him go anyway dangerous.
- Select a balanced, quality diet that helps to prevent illnesses and maintain a healthy immune system.
- Give him the daily exercise he needs to avoid becoming overweight or obese.
- Always make sure he has access to fresh, clean water. Some cats don’t naturally drink much, and this can cause urinary problems.
- Make your cat feel at home and part of the family.
- Don’t forget your cat needs annual check-ups at the vet’s.